Pointing out the
apparent continued decline of these storied Florida treasures, he asked the
Florida Governor to consider setting up a Resource Planning and Management Committee to
identify the causes and generate options for reversing the problems.
Saying time is of
the essence, he asked Scott to, “… take the lead in preventing further
damage to Silver Springs and Rainbow Springs by ensuring the implementation of
effective restoration plans and strategies that can be replicated in other
areas of the state.”
The letter is the
culmination of growing public concern for the water resources of Florida and
its unique natural features characterized by the world’s greatest concentration
of first magnitude springs.
In addition to Governor Graham, the letter was signed
a number of charter members of the Florida Conservation Coalition including Nathaniel Pryor Reed, Former Assistant
Secretary of the Interior, Former Chairman SFWMD, Founder and Chairman Emeritus
1000 Friends of Florida, and Lee Constantine, Former State Senator, Former State Representative, Former
City Commissioner and Mayor of Altamonte Springs. Here's the letter in full:
June 18, 2012
Governor Rick Scott
Plaza Level 05, The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001
Re: Two Florida Signature Spring and River Systems – Silver Springs and
River and Rainbow Springs in urgent need of your immediate attention
Dear
Governor Scott,
As members of the Florida
Conservation Coalition, we are writing to ask for your leadership and
assistance in protecting Florida’s freshwater resources. Springs, rivers, lakes, and groundwater
throughout the state are suffering from dangerously low levels and unhealthy
water quality conditions. As Floridians, all of us have the responsibility to
do everything within our power and ability to protect and restore these natural
resources that are so critical and inextricably linked to our health, quality
of life and economy.
Two of Florida’s signature spring
and river systems – Silver Springs and River and Rainbow Springs and River -- are
in urgent need of your immediate attention and decisive action. Dramatic declines in the water flow and
quality of these two first-magnitude spring systems in Marion County have been
scientifically documented, confirming that current programs administered by
state, regional, and local government are simply inadequate to protect and restore
the health of these valuable aquatic resources.
We believe these two springs and rivers can be saved, and by focusing
now on their restoration, effective tools and strategies can be developed to
address and resolve the pollution and flow problems impacting springs and other
waterways throughout the state.
Accordingly, we are requesting that
you direct the Department of Economic Opportunity, with assistance from other
appropriate state agencies, to assess and report to you within the next six
months on the feasibility of establishing a Resource Planning and Management
Committee, under Section 380.045, F.S., which could harness the power of public
and private stakeholders to develop a plan to correct the problems. Another alternative is to use the model of
the stakeholder task force process that led to the passage of the Wekiva River
Protection Act, Section 369.301-369.309 F.S., in 1988, and the Wekiva Parkway
and Protection Act 369.314-369.324 F.S., in 2004. These approaches succeeded in protecting a
river while accommodating expanding urban development in the Orlando area and
formulation of a plan for a needed new highway. The Executive Orders issued by
Governors Martinez and Bush establishing these task forces are worthy of
examination by your staff.
The State, St. Johns River and Southwest Florida Water Management
Districts, and Marion County have expended considerable effort and resources in
the Silver and Rainbow Springs and Rivers watersheds. Yet these efforts have failed to protect or
restore these valuable resources.
“Minimum flows and levels” and “total maximum daily loads” have not been
established, and recommendations of DEP’s Florida Springs Task Force have not
been implemented.
Silver Springs is a registered National Natural Landmark and the
Silver River is a designated Outstanding Florida Water. Iconic Silver Springs is Florida’s largest
and best known spring. Despite its
importance, the flow of water from the spring has dropped dramatically and
nitrates have increased 20-fold, clouding its water and triggering excessive
algal growth. Native fish species are declining, and exotic
invasive fish species are multiplying.
The changes are well documented in the “Fifty-Year Retrospective Study
of the Ecology of Silver Springs, Florida,” published by the St. Johns River
Water Management District. For your
convenience, attached is a reference list of literature and a letter.
Rainbow Springs is the state’s fourth largest and one of its most
picturesque springs, and the source of Rainbow River, which flows 5.6 miles
before joining the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon. The spring is a registered National Natural
Landmark and the river is a designated Outstanding Florida Water and an Aquatic
Preserve. Yet, like Silver Springs and
River, water flow has declined dramatically while nitrate pollution has
increased significantly.
The economic impact of these springs and rivers and the recreational
opportunities they provide is significant for Marion County and downstream
communities in adjacent Lake and Sumter counties. More than 800,000 visitors (many from out of
state) visit Silver Springs annually.
These aquatic assets also enhance property values, adding wealth and increasing
ad valorem revenue for local governments.
While it is unthinkable that Florida’s springs might get pumped dry or
lost to pollution, there is precedent. Kissengen
Spring in Polk County went dry in 1950, and White Sulphur Springs in Hamilton
County has become a trickle. Given continued neglect, the damage to Silver
Springs and Rainbow Springs, too, could become irreversible.
Governor, you have previously stated
your support for protecting Florida’s natural resources. We are asking that you and your
administration take the lead in preventing further damage to Silver Springs and
Rainbow Springs by ensuring the implementation of effective restoration plans
and strategies that can be replicated in other areas of the state. Time is of the essence.
We thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Bob Graham
Lee Constantine
Charles Pattison
Victoria Tschinkel
Eric Draper
Allan Milledge
Jimmy Orth
Lisa Rinaman
Manley Fuller
Martha Musgrove Craig Diamond
John Robert Middlemas
Deirdre Macnab
Sonny Vergara
Gary Kuhl
Bill Kerr
Auley Rowell
Roy Rogers
Estus Whitfield
Andrew
McElwaine Vivian Young
Attachments (2)
Robert L. Knight letter and
presentation
Rainbow and Silver Springs
literature
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